Pumpkin Picking at Merrist Wood

Two days only, the Saturday and Sunday of the same October weekend, and that is the first thing to plan around. Tickets are booked in advance through the college's event listings and they sell out quickly most years.

The patch is run on the working college farm at Worplesdon, just outside Guildford, and there are over 2,000 pumpkins in the field. The organisers promise big ones, small ones and wonky ones, with quirky gourds and lumpy squashes grown alongside them, so there is more variety here than a field of identical orange spheres.

A ticket covers access to the pumpkin field, the photo opportunities set up around it, and a climb-on tractor. Tractor rides are also offered, in return for a charity donation rather than a fixed fare. Visitors can see the college's farm animals while they are on site, and food and drinks, including seasonal treats, are sold on the day.

Footwear is not a suggestion here. Everyone must wear closed-toe shoes, trainers or wellies, and sandals, flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed on the farm at all. It is a working farm rule rather than a preference, so check what the children have on before you leave the house.

Dogs cannot come. The organisers are clear that they should be left at home for this event. Car parking on site is free, and children aged 0 to 3 go free.